Weʼre raising £20,000 to TAKE GRAHAM’S DUKW AMPHIBIOUS VEHICLE BACK TO NORMANDY FOR THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY D-DAY CELEBRATION

Crowdfunding is a new type of fundraising where you can raise funds for your own personal cause, even if you're not a registered charity.

The page owner is responsible for the distribution of funds raised.

Story

GRAHAM

Graham Smitheringale will always remember his first ride on the famous DUKWs at Hunstanton beach 40 years ago. An annual trip to "Sunny Hunny" in August was a family tradition - but it was to be the last as Graham's Dad died that September.

GRAHAM’s DUKW

After seeing D-Day and other WW2 action, the two Hunstanton DUKWs carried thousand of trippers across the sands, before being “put to rest” on shore. Graham went on to be a hard-working farm manager and contractor, with a gift for collecting, restoring and showing old mechanical items - tractors, carts, farm memorabilia. But he never forgot the DUKW and after many years persistence he was recently able to buy the rusted chassis of the DUKW “IKE”.

D-DAY REMEMBRANCE

Graham’s immediate goal is to take “IKE” back to Normandy to honour the soldiers who first drove the vehicles in WW2 at a special pageant of remembrance planned for the 75th Anniversary of D-Day in June 2019. Other local military vehicle enthusiasts also plan to take the second Hunstanton DUKW.

RESTORATION

Graham has his work cut out - bringing together parts of three now very old vehicles to make one good runner. He has a great team of skilled workmen and trades he can call on, and space and resources to complete the job. He will need welders and specialist coatings painters for the hull, mechanics and engine fitters for the driveline, and lots of hands-on general help to restore and fit all the specialist parts - now about 75 years old!

The total cost will exceed £20,000, which he has set as the initial fund-raising target. Extra funding will be needed to transport the DUKW to France and maintain it in the future, with the goal of “IKE” appearing back in Hunstanton from time to time.

DONOR REWARDS

The highest (general public) donor will be invited to ride at one of the planned events after restoration. With permission, the name of anyone donating £100 or over will also be “put in a hat” and four names drawn out as other event ride participants. Please send me an email using the Contact link in the Supporters area below - subject "Graham's DUKW" if you choose to donate over £100 and you want to seek the reward.

Share this story

Updates

8

2 months ago

David Cowcill

2 months ago

Took “Ike” chassis to Open Farm Weekend at Park Farm, Thorney, Peterborough
- https://www.parkfarmthorney.co.uk
Triggered lots of memories of DUKWs on the sands at Hunstanton.
Hope you can help to convert into support for Normandy 2019. Progress continues - now welding the stern of Ike.

Share this update to help us raise more

2 months ago

David Cowcill

2 months ago

Oops - still some work to do....

Share this update to help us raise more

2 months ago

David Cowcill

2 months ago

Early 2000s - Ike parked up in Searle's yard, Hunstanton (thanks to Ian at OSB media).